A ball and impact mallet

ABSTRACT

This invention is a game structure to be played on a given course area with the use of lifter structures, ball members usable with respective ones of the lifter structures, and various configurations of wicket members. More particularly, this invention relates to a lifter structure having a handle member connected to a head member whereupon the head member is provided with an outer inclined impact end section having a central groove to achieve two point contact with the ball member when striking and lifting the same.

United States Patent 1,567,765 12/1925 Spaulding 273/ 83X 2,567,313 9/1951 Bailey 273/129 3,021,141 2/1962 Polsky..... 273/186 3,390,881 7/1968 Senne 273/173 FOREIGN PATENTS 385 0/1905 Great Britain 273/167 451,919 8/1936 Great Britain 273/ 167 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Richard J Apley Attorney-Phillip A. Rein ABSTRACT: This invention is a game structure to be played on a given course area with the use of lifter structures, ball members usable with respective ones of the lifter structures, and various configurations of wicket members. More particularly, this invention relates to a lifter structure having a handle member connected to a head member whereupon the head member is provided with an outer inclined impact end section having a central groove to achieve two point contact with the ball member when striking and lifting the same.

Patented May 11, 1971 m? w y Y O. Y 5

45 IlE..-E

A BALL AND IMPACT MALLET Numerous types of game structures are known to the prior art utilizing a mallet member, a ball member, and wickets for its method of play. One such well known game structure is Croquet whereupon a substantially standard course of play is created. However, as in Croquet, the prior art game structures are not operable to utilize a specially designed mallet structure for lifting a ball member in an accurate manner relative to vertical height and distance to be conveyed.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a game structure is provided utilizing a mallet or lifter structure and a ball member for each player plus a plurality of wicket members placed inan area defining a course of play. The game structure can be played in any given area but is designed so as to fit into a residence yard or the like whereupon the wicket members are placed in a selected pattern. The wicket members may be provided with numbers thereon to indicate the direction of play similar to a golf course flag marking. The wicket members are constructed of a bent wire material and may be provided with an elevated circular target area or the like so that the ball member has to pass through the elevated opening. Each player is identified with a given ball member which may be color coded and the players take turn and maintain the same order throughout the game. Each player receives one stroke per turn except when the respective ball member passes through a wicket member in which case, an additional or bonus stroke is received. The ball members may never be moved and, if one player's ball member hits another players ball member, they merely remain in the position attained after the collision. The winner of this method of game play is the player who finishes the course of play first although any of the players who started behind the winner has one chance to tie the game. The main object of the invention in this game structure resides in the mallet or lifter structure having an upright elongated handle member secured at the lower end to a head member. The handle member is provided with an upper grip section for ease of grasping which is important on swinging the same. The head member is provided with a cylindrically-shaped main body having an upright end section and, at the opposite end, an inclined end section. The inclined end section is provided with a central vertically extended groove section having outer inclined edge portions. The inclined end section is preferrably at an angle of 45 relative to the lower most plane of the lifter structure. The groove section is of great importance as the same provides two point contact on striking the respective ball members so that the ball member can be readily lifted through such contact so as to precisely regulate the vertical height and distance by one skilled in the use of the lifter structure in the method of game play of this invention.

One object of the game structure of this invention is to over come the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art structures of game play.

One further object of this invention is to provide ball members, and lifter structures whereupon numerous variations may be added to the game requiring the elevation and exact positioning of the respective ball members during play.

Another object of this invention is to provide a litter structure having a handle member secured to a head member which utilizes an inclined end section for elevation of the ball member on impact therewith.

Still, one further object of this invention is to provide a lifter structure having an outer inclined end section provided with a central vertically extended groove section adapted to hit a ball member at two point contact for ease of lifting and controlling the same.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game course area having the wicket members, ball members, and lifter structures of this invention placed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mallet or lifter structure of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the lifter structure of this invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational viewof the lifter structure of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new game structure and lifter structure of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

In referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1, the method of game play of this invention utilizes a selected residential yard or course area indicated at 8 plus the use of ball members 10, mallet or lifter structures 12, and a plurality of wicket members 14. Although the course area 8 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially of a rectangular shape, it is to be understood that the method of game play of this invention may be played in any desired yard area whereupon shrubbery, trees, hedges, and the like may be positioned between wicket members 14 to aid in further enjoyment of the method of game play of this invention. In fact, this game structure of this invention is readily adaptable to any given area and certain rules may be added to the method of game play such as requiring the ball members 10 to be elevated over a hedge, fish pond, etc. or through elevated target areas of the respective wicket members 14.

As shown in FIG. I, the wicket members 14 are of various shaped wire targets such as the U-shaped as indicated at 16, a circular target area indicated at 18, and a generally lollypop style having an upper target area indicated at 20. In addition to the wicket members 14, small buckets may be used as targets, cups may be buried in the ground similar to a golf green, or pins may be set up to be knocked over by the ball members 10 during the course of play. The ball members 10 are of a predetermined diameter relative to the lifter structures 12 and may be constructed of various types of material such as rubber, marble, wood or the like. The choice of material between the lifter structures 12 and the ball members 10 is to be correlated to get the desired lifting and distance on impact which may be regulated depending on the selected method of game play and dimensional size of the course area 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the lifter structure 12 is provided with a main handle member 21 secured to the lower end to a head member 23. The handle member 21 is provided with an elongated main body 25 with the upper end having an elongated gripper section 26 telescoped about the main body 25. It is found that a desirable length of a handle member 21 for persons playing the game structure is approximately 2 ft. 5 in. It is obvious that the handle member 21 may be constructed of numerous types material such as aluminum, wood, steel, or the like. Also the gripper section 26 is similar to those conventionally found of golf clubs and provides a means for one readily grasping the handle member 21 so as to maintain the same in possession through the swinging action during course play.

The head member 23 is provided with a cylindrical-shaped main body 29 having at opposite ends a generally upright end section 31 and an inclined end section 33. A central portion of the main body 29 is provided with a hole 34 to receive the lower portion of the handle member for securing the same thereto. The main body 29 is preferably constructed of a diameter of 2% inches with the maximum overall length being about 6% inches.

The inclined end section 33 is provided with a main outer surface 36 positioned at an inclination to the horizontal plane of the head member 23 at 45i5. It is noted that the best angle of inclination is 45 when being used in all types of different shots and impacts with the ball members 10. The outer surface 36 is provided with a central upright groove section 38 directed at the same angle of inclination of the outer surface 36. The groove section 38 is provided with outer angular chamfer portions 41 which are parallel to each other and the axis of the handle member 21 for reasons to be explained. The groove section 38 is preferably a maximum width of 1%. inches and having the groove depth of three-sixteenths of an inch. An innermost surface indicated at 43 is of a width of inch whereby the inclined chamfer portions 41 are placed at an angle substantially 45 relative to a perpendicular plane extended therethrough.

ln the use and operation of the game structure of this invention, the course area 8 is first set up with the plurality of wicket members 14 in a predetermined order so that the general direction of course play is clear to all the players. It is noted that the course area 8 may be designed or adapted to tit any type of landscape area having various obstacles such as shrubbery, fish ponds, or the like. The players each select a color coded ball member 10 plus a lifter structure 12 before proceeding to play. The object of the game is for a player to complete the entire course before the other players do so and the player must put the ball members 10 through the various wicket members 14 in a direction and manner as set forth in agreed rules of play.

The players of the game structure take turns and maintain the same order of play throughout the entire game. Each player is given one stroke per turn in order to strike the ball member 10, and when the ball member 10 is placed completely through a wicket member 14 at the required elevation, the player then receives an additional bonus stroke. Also, it may be a rule that the ball member 10 must pass through the wicket member 14 on direction only which adds to the difficulty of the game play and may require a player to retrace his path of play. Also, it may be a rule that the ball member 10 may pass through the elevated wicket members 14 from either side. One further rule is that the ball members 10 may never be moved except through the lifter structure 12 unless in a position which could cause damage to the equipment. If one players ball member 10 hits another players ball member 10, they merely remain in same position after the collision. However, if one player knocks another player's ball member 10 through a wicket member 14, the player whose ball member 10 went through the wicket member 14 receives a bonus shot on his next turn.

ln playing the game, if the first player to shoot is the first player to complete the course, the remaining players still have one turn remaining in which they can tie for first placeflf, the second player to start finishes the course first, only the players who started after this second player may have a chance to tie. Of course, the same is true for the remaining players as only the players who started after the winner have a chance to tie that player. In the event of a tie, the winner can be determined either by sudden death playoff or an additional game being played between the tied players.

It is noted that the lifter structure 12 of this invention provides for the new and novel method of game play as the ball members 10 can be raised to any desired elevation for passing over an obstacle and through the elevated wicket members 14. The upright end section 31 of the lifter structure 12 may be used to hit the ball member 10 and move the same in a generally horizontal path contacting the support surface. The inclined end section 33 of the lifter structure 12 is specifically designed in order to lift the ball member 10 on impact. In fact, the inclined end section 33 is such that the player never really strikes the ball member 10 but instead lifts the ball member 10 into the air with a flick of the wrists and arms. The groove section 38 in the inclined end section 33 is very important in providing a two point contact with the ball member 10 in order to achieve substantial accuracy and control. It is noted that the diameter of ball member 10 and the width and depth of the groove section 38 is correlated so that on impact with the ball member 10, the two points of contact are at the outer edge or surface of the chamfer portions 41 without contacting the inner surface 43. More specifically, a chordal section of the ball members 10 of a width equal to the width of the groove section 38 has a height less than that of the groove section 38 to assure only the two point contact.

By varying the players stance, the angle with which the lifter structure 12 is in relation to the ball member 10 and the speed with which the player swings the lifter structure 12, the player can accurately regulate the height and distance of travel of the ball member 10. When preparing to lift the ball member 10, the player lines the lifter structure 12 behind the ball member 10 pointing the direction in which the ball member 10 is desired to travel. The player places the lifter structure 12 so that the angle surface is just touching the ball member 10 and, then with a flick of the wrists and arms, he lifts the ball member 10 into flight. Through this type of wrist action, a ball member 10 can be lifted 50 to feet in horizontal distance or just a few inches. Also, by changing the players swing slightly, the ball member 10 can be lifted nearly straight up in the air.

it is seen that the game structure of this invention can be readily assembled on any given course area and may be played by any number of players, only limited by the availability of ball members and lifter structures. It is seen that the lifter structure of this invention is provided with the new and novel angular relationships relative to the ball member so as to have two point contact therewith to aid in accuracy of play. The elements of the game structure of this invention are economical to manufacture, simple to use, and provide the utmost in enjoyment and skill to become an expert in the game play.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

1. In combination, a ball and impact mallet, said impact mallet comprising:

a. a handle member having one end secured to a head member,

b. said head member including a main body having an inclined end section, and

c. said inclined end section having spaced coplanar outer surfaces and a parallel recessed groove section between said outer surfaces, chamfer portions connecting the edges of said groove section with the inner edges of said outer surfaces, said chamfer portions being outwardly and acutely angled relative to a plane perpendicular to said groove section, said chamfer portions being spaced apart by a distance so related to the diameter of said ball as to provide two point contact with said ball.

2. The combinationas described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said main body is of a generally cylindrical shape having a maximum length equal to approximately three timesits diameter, and

b. said inclined end section extended at an angle of 45fi relative to the axis of said main body.

3. The combination as described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said main body is of a generally cylindrical shape extended perpendicular to the axis of said handle member, and

b. said inclined end section extended at an angle of 45 relative to the axis of said main body.

4. The combination as described in claim 1, wherein:

a. the axis of said groove section intersects the axis of said handle member at an angle of 45 relative thereto, and the outer and inner edges of said chamfer portions extend in a plane parallel to the axis of said handle member. 

1. In combination, a ball and impact mallet, Said impact mallet comprising: a. a handle member having one end secured to a head member, b. said head member including a main body having an inclined end section, and c. said inclined end section having spaced coplanar outer surfaces and a parallel recessed groove section between said outer surfaces, chamfer portions connecting the edges of said groove section with the inner edges of said outer surfaces, said chamfer portions being outwardly and acutely angled relative to a plane perpendicular to said groove section, said chamfer portions being spaced apart by a distance so related to the diameter of said ball as to provide two point contact with said ball.
 2. The combination as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said main body is of a generally cylindrical shape having a maximum length equal to approximately three times its diameter, and b. said inclined end section extended at an angle of 45 + or -5* relative to the axis of said main body.
 3. The combination as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said main body is of a generally cylindrical shape extended perpendicular to the axis of said handle member, and b. said inclined end section extended at an angle of 45* relative to the axis of said main body.
 4. The combination as described in claim 1, wherein: a. the axis of said groove section intersects the axis of said handle member at an angle of 45* relative thereto, and the outer and inner edges of said chamfer portions extend in a plane parallel to the axis of said handle member. 